Appointment of Mtre Robert Pare as Vice Chairman of RONA's Board of Directors

BOUCHERVILLE, QUEBEC--(Marketwire - Dec. 7, 2011) - The Board of Directors of RONA inc. (TSX:RON)(TSX:RON.PR.A), the largest Canadian distributor and retailer of hardware, renovation and gardening products, announces the appointment of Mtre Robert Paré as Vice Chairman of the Board of Director.

Mtre Robert Paré is a corporate lawyer and partner at Fasken Martineau Dumoulin S.E.N.C.R.L., s.r.l. He has been an administrator of RONA and member of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee since April 22, 2009.

"This appointment is in line with the Board of Directors presidency succession plan", said the Chairman of the Board and Corporate Director, Jean Gaulin. "Mtre Pare has been practicing in the fields of business law and securities for over 30 years and his reputation, established among both his peers and clients, extends beyond Canadian borders. Based on his expertise, he is an excellent candidate for the position", added Gaulin.

Mtre Paré is a member of the board of directors and of the investment committee (chair) of Groupe BMTC Inc. (furniture and appliances), and sits of the boards of Essilor Canada Ltd. (ophthalmic optical products) and Group ADF inc. (design, engineering, fabrication and installation of complex steel superstructures). Mtre Paré serves as corporate secretary and is a member of the board of directors and executive committee of The Montreal Heart Institute Foundation.

ABOUT RONA

RONA is the largest Canadian distributor and retailer of hardware, home renovation and gardening products. RONA operates a network of more than 950 corporate, franchise and affiliate stores of various sizes and formats. With close to 30,000 employees working under its family of banners in every region of Canada and more than 17 million square feet of retail space, the RONA store network generates over $6 billion in annual retail sales. For more information, please visit www.rona.ca.